Help Me Plan My DREAM 10 Gallon!

Js, I too have the Eclipse System 12, along with a System 3. They're both in my office and each is heavily planted with low light plants. I use only the in-the-lid standard light and Flourish Excel and have no problems growing plants in either. The System 3 is my betta's home, while the System 12 houses 3 otos, 5 flame tetras, a yoyo loach, one ramshorn snail and a multitude of trumpet snails.

When you say you hear the lid on the System 12 is a pain, I don't know what you mean. I have no problem with mine. I find the tank easy to clean and refill (I refill by pouring water into the filter compartment rather than directly into the tank). It's certainly much easier to clean than the System 3, which is a pain in the a** to clean until you get used to it.

The plants I'm growing in my tanks include Java moss, Java fern, crytocoryne, anubias, valisneria and anacharis.

I suppose it is pricier than other tank set-ups, but the only additional equipment you need to buy is a heater and a thermometer. (A timer for the light is really helpful, but not necessary). I find the System 12 clean, sleek and very quiet. I highly recommend it for a starter tank. But do be careful not to scratch the acrilyc (use only soft cloth on the outside and aquarium safe sponge on the inside).
 
I heard about he lid being a pain when reading reviews on another website.

How is the filtration on the eclipse system 12?
 
I find the filtration to be just fine, but bear in mind that I don't house big poop machines in either tank. I did have one platy in the 12 who was a veritable poop factory, but she lives elsewhere now. Also, I'm very good about my twice weekly water changes. I really think you would like the System 12. If I were to give an aquarium set up to someone as a present, I would definitely go with the System 12.
 
Oh, by the way, I forgot to say that I also grow water wisteria (hygrophila) in both the System 12 and 3 tanks.
 
a 10 gallon tank is fine to set up (What I let my daughter have), and you could do something really cool like a couple of dwarf puffers, with the java fern, java moss and some amazons. Tons of nuissance snails (fish stores give them away for free!)...
 
This "dream tank" is becoming a reality:):):D:D!!! I might be getting the 12 gallon tank plus ammonia to cycle it with as soon as this weekend:D:D:):):)!!!!!

Sorry for all the smilies, I'm REALLY excited!!!

I probably won't get the fish for a while after the tank cycles as I am planning on getting the fish this summer (or sooner if I can convince my parents).


I still don't know what kind of fish I am going to get though.

I also want a snail so all fish need to be snail compatible.

I also want a fish that will clean algae off the glass, Any ideas?
 
The Otos that are already mentioned will be great for that. They're fairly active too. You could get a Pomacea Diffusa, or a Nerite snail...

Congrats on getting your new tank!
 
Congratulations!!! Otos are great for algea, just be sure to have places for them to hide. And they need driftwood. If you don't have any other fish to put in it, why don't you put Fred in it (after it cycles, of course).
 
Well, actually, otos are fine if you're tank is a well established tank. Don't start off by putting them in a newly cycled tank. At least give it 3 or 4 months of being established before you try out otos.
 
If you didn't want Oto's, you might be able to find a Pitbull Pleco. They stay really small too.
 
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